Former GUNS N' ROSES drummer Steven Adler has recruited Constantine Maroulis of "American Idol" and "Rock Of Ages" fame to front the newly formed ADLER'S APPETITE FEATURING CONSTANTINE MAROULIS. The new group will make its live debut on May 10 at the Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood before embarking on a 10-date Australian tour, summer festival appearances and a longer fall tour.
"Of course, GUNS N' ROSES was the soundtrack to my youth," Maroulis told Billboard. "To play with Steven has been the highlight of my career. He's a lovely guy, and his playing on 'Appetite [For Destruction]' was second to none, and that sound he made on it defined that whole generation's sound."
Adler stated about the singer: "Let me just fucking tell you something... this guy Constantine, who I call 'Casanova'... he came up to New York and I'm, like, 'Oh my God, I got this great rock and roll singer!' I'm finally working with a real superstar again. I call him 'Casanova' because he's so goddamn sexy. Because he dresses so nice. I wish I was his size so I could double my wardrobe! ... He flew up to New York and within five minutes, I wanted to kick his fuckin' ass! And within 10 minutes, I fell in love with him!"
Adler added: "GUNS N' ROSES are the biggest rock band in the fuckin' world now, and since the guys don't want me to play with them and I love these songs and I'm so proud of them ... now I finally have a singer who can compete with the young Axl Rose. Axl is Axl and Casanova is fuckin' Casanova.... That's all I want. Also, his name isn't 'asshole' it's Axl. It sounds like you're saying 'asshole,' but it's Axl."
ADLER'S APPETITE's Australian tour will kick off on May 16 in Darwin and will commemorate the 30th anniversary of GUNS N' ROSES' debut album, "Appetite For Destruction". In addition to a performance of the entire LP, the shows will feature a question-and-answer session with Adler and his mother Deanna, who penned the book "Sweet Child Of Mine: How I Lost My Son To Guns N’ Roses".
Adler published an autobiography in 2010, titled "My Appetite for Destruction: Sex, And Drugs, And Guns N' Roses", in which he delved into his depression, suicide attempts, drug-related heart attacks, and the debilitating stroke that left him with muscular paralysis and permanently slurred speech.
Although not part of the reunion that launched in 2016, Adler rejoined GUNS N' ROSES at several shows on the band's "Not In This Lifetime" tour, including three stops on the U.S. leg and one gig in Buenos Aires, Argentina, playing drums on "Out Ta Get Me" and "My Michelle".